CCI sets aside complaints against Prestige Estates Projects

NEW DELHI: Fair trade regulator CCI has rejected allegations of unfair business practices made against the Bengaluru-based Prestige Estates Projects.

As many as 49 people had alleged that the realty player abused its dominant position by reducing the land size compared to what was promised earlier for a residential project in Bengaluru.

The complaint, pertaining to Prestige Shantiniketan project near Whitefield Main Road in Bengaluru, was also filed against three entities, including Chaitanya Properties Pvt Ltd and the Bangalore Development Authority.

To ascertain whether the developer has abused its dominant position, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) considered 'the provision of services for development and sale of residential apartments in Bengaluru' as a relevant market.

Rejecting the allegations, CCI said Prestige Estates Project was not in a dominant position in the relevant market.

"... the Commission finds that no case of contravention of the provisions of Section 4 of the (Competition) Act is made out" against the company in the instant matter, the order dated December 15 said.

The Section 4 of the (Competition) Act relates to abuse of dominant position.

In the relevant market, the Commission said there are many bigger and established players.